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I'm just trying to help others. That is all. I just also happen to be vegan. Veganism is not a lifestyle to me. It's a tool to help reduce animal suffering.
I don't care much for the philosophical debate over animal welfare versus abolition. It's really a waste of time...
I'm going to use this portion of my profile to offer helpful resources on reducing animal suffering because that is something I feel strongly about.
"More important than any individual choice we may make or position we hold is the influence we have on the choices of others. The animals don’t need us to be right, they need us to be effective, to create real and lasting change. To this end, our literature and arguments are not the most important tools we have. Rather, what is most powerful is our example." -- Matt Ball, Vegan Outreach
I consider myself an activist, and I'm interested in organizing and expanding a vegetarian/vegan community in the Greater Youngstown Area. To do that, I started a resource website with the help of one of my good friends.
VegMahoning.com
I support Mercy For Animals and Vegan Outreach. Check out the Veg Mahoning site (above) for information on how to survive as a vegetarian/vegan in Youngstown!
If you have any questions on veganism, I'd be happy to help you out! There's a lot of shit out there, and a lot of people who think they are holier than thou. I've heard a lot of the myths and misconceptions about veganism and vegetarianism from both vegans and non-vegetarians.
I assume everyone's run into some vegan or vegetarian who was a jerk. However, that is no reason to deny animal suffering simply because of someone's rude personality.
The way I see things, if a person is an asshole before they become vegan, they're still going to be an asshole afterwards! Veganism is not a personality trait, so don't get the two confused. Actually, veganism can be misconstrued quite easily so it is not that easy to define.
PLEASE, don't get caught up in the tens-of-thousands of possibly animal-derived ingredients lists. Veganism is not about some discipline in which one adheres to a strict list of trace ingredients.
My advice: Stick to the basics. The world will not end if you do not know the source of the mono- or di-glycerides, polysorbate 60, or other trace ingredients.
Just remember the true essence of veganism is reducing animal suffering, NOT self-purity or righteousness.
"In deciding what to present to the public, our criteria shouldn't be, "Does this seem to denigrate (some) meat and/or support veganism?" We shouldn't be trying to justify our diet -- we need to stand up for the animals. We don't get to determine how people should react; we must consider how our chosen argument will actually play out to the general public and through the media. We must set aside our personal biases and needs, and honestly ask, "Is this the argument that will alleviate as much suffering as possible?" The animals are counting on us." -- Matt Ball
Links:
Vegan Advocacy Information:
Vegan Health and Nutrition Information:
